Sam Docherty suffers ACL injury and will miss the 2018 AFL season

CARLTON could adjust its draft and recruiting strategy to find a replacement for knee victim Sam Docherty.

CARLTON could adjust its draft strategy to find a replacement for knee victim Sam Docherty.

Star defender Docherty ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season training drill yesterday and is set to miss the entire 2018 season.

The rebounding defender won Carlton’s best-and-fairest in 2016 and was selected in this year’s All-Australian team.

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Blues football manager Andrew McKay said today Blues recruiters could look for a ready-made replacement in the draft or rookie draft.

“We’re having a look at that ... we’ve got a list man meeting today and that’s they type of thing we’ll be discussing,” he said.

“Certainly, it won’t change our mindset around early picks, it may have a bearing later on.”

The Blues have a strong draft hand with picks 3 and 10, but also hold the final two selections at pick 95 and 96, if they use them.

One player on the Blues’ radar is former Port Adelaide defender Cam O’Shea. The 25-year-old is is training with Carlton after an impressive season for the Northern Blues in the VFL.

Absolute 10 out of 10 disaster for Carlton with Sam Docherty tearing his ACL. So no Gibbs, no Docherty next year for Brendon Bolton. Ouch.

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) November 15, 2017

McKay said Docherty’s injury didn’t alter Carlton’s ambitions for 2018.

“Certainly it’s always disappointed to lose the class of Sam, but we’re not going to re-evaluate how we think we’ll go or where we’ll get to,” he told RSN 927.

“It’s onwards and upwards, the other guys will have an opportunity to get us where we want to go.”

Sam Docherty will miss the 2018 season. Picture: Michael Klein

Docherty injured his left knee in a seemingly innocuous incident when running at training on Wednesday morning.

“As we commence our pre-season campaign, the news of Sam’s injury is incredibly disappointing for everyone but foremost for Sam,” McKay said yesterday.

“Sam is a total professional and a resilient young man and we know he will face his rehabilitation process with the utmost dedication.

“As a terrific young leader at our club, Sam will continue to work with the leadership group and assist in the development of our young players both on and off the field.

“While we are incredibly disappointed by the long-term nature of Sam’s injury, it provides an opportunity for our young defenders to continue to train hard over the pre-season to solidify their spot in the backline in Sam’s absence in 2018.”